Pantone Palette: Surface Treatments

Pantone Palette: Surface Treatments

It's not just about colors in 2013. "Earthy textures lay a new foundation for palettes of blues and greens," says color expert and executive director of the Pantone Color Institute Leatrice Eiseman. Ana White, author of The Handbuilt Home (due out in October; Clarkson Potter) suggests breathing new life into an existing hutch with several coats of ocean-blue paint, a move she calls noncommittal. Ground the oversize piece with lots of white ceramic objects and natural wood and wicker.

Pantone Palette: Out of the Ordinary

Pantone Palette: Out of the Ordinary

Quirky and whimsical. This is how Eiseman describes this color collection, which marries shades of pumpkin and bright blue with goldenrod, lime, and violet. Beth Styles, author of the blog Parsimonia calls this unlikely harmony of hues home. "I adore bold colors and try to get them into my home as much as possible," Styles says. Her advice? Welcome accessories in to test pairings—a couple of pillows, a throw over a chair, or a spray-painted lamp against the wall.